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Calgary Flames forward prospect Johnny Gaudreau, the 5-foot-6 world-junior gold medallist for Team USA and the leading scorer for the Boston College Eagles, was named Friday as one of a hat-trick of finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the player-of-the-year in the NCAA hockey ranks.

Quinnipiac Bobcats netminder Eric Hartzell and St. Cloud State Huskies forward Drew LeBlanc — a teammate of Flames acquisition Ben Hanowski — are also candidates for the prestigious award. The winner will be announced next Friday.

Gaudreau, 19, doesn’t have much more to prove at the collegiate level, although the Flames won’t pressure the pint-sized sniper from Carney’s Point, N.J., to turn professional right away.

“I don’t believe that we should ever be in a situation that we’re dictating to the player that this is what you have to do,” said Flames GM Jay Feaster. “I believe that’s an important family decision. The athlete has to be comfortable. The parents have to be comfortable.

“And what I’ve always said is that we’ll always be there supporting. If the athlete says ‘I’m ready to go. I want to turn pro right now,’ then we’ll be there with a contract. If the athlete says, ‘I think one more year, get bigger, get stronger. I want to win a national championship ... ‘

“Whatever the case may be, as I say, we’ll be there watching you, we’ll be there supporting you and we’ll be there for you when you decide you want to turn pro.”

As an added bonus, Gaudreau is apparently good friends with Yale Bulldogs forward Kenny Agostino of Morristown, N.J., one of two collegiate forwards — Hanowski is the other — that became Flames property as part of the Jarome Iginla trade.

Around the boards

Now that the Flames have honoured G Miikka Kiprusoff’s request to stay put in Calgary, we’ll find out if the non-stop trade speculation was a contributing factor to his recent struggles. To be blunt, Kiprusoff has stunk in his past two outings. “It’s been a pretty tough last few weeks, but I’m not going to use that excuse,” Kiprusoff said. “I haven’t played well and I know I have to pick up my game. I’m pretty happy this is over now” ... For the second consecutive season, Flames D Derek Smith could finish the season on the injured list. The 28-year-old is wearing a brace on his knee and admitted he’ll need “a few weeks” of recovery time ... That fifth-round pick the Flames acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for RW Blake Comeau? Might not sound like much, but keep in mind Kiprusoff and RW Lee Stempniak are both former fifth-round selections ... Strange coincidence? After receiving some shooting advice from Mr. T last week in Chicago, Flames RW Brian McGrattan scored in two straight games.

Off the glass

One week after the trade, it still feels strange to see stacks of sale-priced Iginla merchandise at the FanAttic store ... With Iginla and D Jay Bouwmeester traded away, the Flames roster has a very un-Edmonton feel for the first time in recent memory. From Bouwmeester (Edmonton) and Iginla (St. Albert) to C Daymond Langkow, D Dion Phaneuf and others, it’s been a long time since there wasn’t a single guy from Oil Country wearing the Flaming ‘C’. Next in the prospect pipeline is Spruce Grove’s Brett Kulak, who is currently toiling with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat on a tryout basis but will be back with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants next season ... On the flip side, Oilers LW Taylor Hall, C Sam Gagner and G Devan Dubnyk all have significant ties to the Stampede City, and they acquired former Hitmen C Jerred Smithson from the Florida Panthers hours before the deadline.

Flames prospect up for Hobey Baker

Calgary Flames forward prospect Johnny Gaudreau, the 5-foot-6 world-junior gold medallist for Team USA and the leading scorer for the Boston College Eagles, was named Friday as one of a hat-trick of finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the player-of-the-year in the NCAA hockey ranks.

Quinnipiac Bobcats netminder Eric Hartzell and St. Cloud State Huskies forward Drew LeBlanc — a teammate of Flames acquisition Ben Hanowski — are also candidates for the prestigious award. The winner will be announced next Friday.

Gaudreau, 19, doesn’t have much more to prove at the collegiate level, although the Flames won’t pressure the pint-sized sniper from Carney’s Point, N.J., to turn professional right away.